Selling points.

Ship Ahoy

Spotlight Lake Vista To Maximize Condo's Appeal

April 23, 1993|By Pamela Dittmer McKuen.

For the last three years, Jane and Doug Sullivan have been living their retirement dreams. They winter in Alabama and summer in Wisconsin. In between seasons they spend a few weeks at their Aurora condominium and catch up with children and grandchildren who live in the area.

"We kind of use this place as a motel," said Doug.

A more prudent financial move, they have decided, is to sell the condo and rent an apartment to accommodate their semi-annual visits. Rick Niksic of The Prudential Doss Real Estate in Aurora recently consulted with the Sullivans and offered his advice for selling the property quickly and at the best price possible.

Their 93-unit community was built about 12 years ago, adjacent to Spring Lake and within walking distance of Fox Valley Mall. The homeowners association maintains a swimming pool and two tennis courts. The Sullivans' unit overlooks the lake and its flocks of resident geese. It features three bedrooms, two full baths, an eat-in kitchen, a dining room, beige carpeting, a hardwood foyer, a garage and a patio.

The feature to emphasize the most to potential buyers is the lakeside location, said Niksic. "No matter which room you're in, you have a view of the lake. Not many units have that."

The lake should be mentioned prominently in all advertising, Niksic said, and sales agents and potential buyers should be given directions that take them through the more scenic of the two streets that lead to the Sullivans' unit.

"The way someone drives into a property can make a difference," he said. "Coming down from this direction there are more curves in the road and you can see the lake and the amenities sooner. Everything looks more open."

To accentuate the view further, Niksic recommended leaving all window treatments open and, "when weather permits, if it ever permits, set out lawn furniture on the patio."

"We'll do that," said Doug. "We have the cushions put away for the winter and the grill is being repaired."

"You're selling the outside as much as the inside," said Niksic. "The competition has the same insides you have but you've got the lake and people will pay more to be on it."

"That's a good point," said Doug. "We don't see any neighbors except for one from the (master) bedroom window."

The Sullivans have decorated primarily with soft neutral tones. The kitchen is attractively wallpapered with two contrasting mini-prints in peach and the master bedroom has two others, in beige and navy. The blue and peach jungle print in the hallway bath might raise some objections but "the peach towels tone things down a little bit and the fixtures are clean and not cracked," said Niksic. "People will probably be able to overlook the wallpaper."

What he did suggest changing are the vinyl floors in the kitchen and both baths. The patterns are rather detailed for today's simpler tastes and the colors are on the dark side. The three areas could easily be re-tiled over a weekend with stick-on squares on top of the existing tile, he said.

"I agree, I think we should do that," said Jane.

"The small areas of flooring we're talking about will make a big difference in the impression they make," said Niksic, noting how the hardwood floor at the front door creates a more dramatic entrance than if it had been left carpeted.

One of the bedrooms currently is used as a den and television room. Here, the Sullivans have placed a sofa, large easy chair, entertainment unit, a chest of drawers and a few smaller pieces of furniture. Niksic suggested putting some of this furniture into temporary storage, perhaps at the home of one of their children.

"I know this is where you guys flop and get comfortable, but the closet is blocked," he said. "This is the smallest of the bedrooms and the furniture makes it look even smaller."